The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-25

that we further place upon our record
this simple testimonial to the memory OF
one who was the faithful servant OF this
Association and the earnest supporter of
its work.
The Association voted to meet next
year in Elgin on the first Wednesday
and Thursday in June. The old Off
GERS were reelected President, J. S.
Wilcox, of Elgin; President, Mrs.
G.. b. Marsh Secretary and Treasurer,
Mrs. E. H. Rexford< Rev. A. H. Laing,
of Joliet, was choSen to deliver the
next occasional sermon. The Associa-
tiOn then voted, aft&r debate, to substi-
tute the word "pafish' for the word
"society" in their present constitution.
At $50 a short devotional service
was held, and at 10, the discussion of
1.-THE Christian LifG'was entered upon.
Under the head"The Sacraments of the
Church; their Origin and Permanent
Uses" Rev. J. Coleman Adams, of
Chicago, made an earnest plea for the
strict observance Of baptism and the
communion. He briefly sketched the
history of the sacrarnents, and made a
very strong statement of the duty of
Christian Universalists to observe
them.
Rev. Mr.. Andrews, Of Dixon, took as
a subject, Conduct and Character"
He spoke not of a personal conduct and
character so much as of the conduct
and character of the church. There
should be greater activity shown in
church conduct; the members should
not be afraid of revival work. Earnest
revival work was just what they
wanted. These views met with warm
approval, and the paper was highly
commended by all.
In the afternoon at 2, the commun-
ion was observed by the Association,
Rev. w. S. Ralph, of Sycamore, deliv-
ering the sermon, his subject being,
Mountain Days" There were ''moun-
tain days" in all lives; days when our
souls looked upon the commoner things
from some lofty height of the spiritual
realm; but with no life were the days
all mountain days" The widest con-
trasts of mood and temper were COM
mon. One moment the mind was dwell
ing upon the loftiest themes, the next
engaged with the most trivial, or worse
than trivial subjects. Literally speak
ing, the mountain days" were few to
Christ; his days were commonly lowly
and his paths among lowly scenes.
sAnd so,o raid the s4s.sker, ssfrom our
mountain mood, or experience, we
must come down to that level where,
especially after a season upon the
heights, it would seem almost like a
mocking fate rather than by smiling
providence that we are forced to live"
To most people their mountain days.
have brought spiritual joy, an eleva-
ted, thrilling sensation of soul which
they have realized to be above and be-
yond all other experiences. Whatever
the every day life of a soul, mount
ain day. must be it's ideal. God gives
us, now and then, 'mountain day."
to reveal to us his purpose and to as
sure us that we are to stand on higher
watch-towers, and, at last, to find a
way clear into the climate of the skies;
that climate chilled by no glacier, to
which we all, through Gods love, must
go.
Rev. Brs. Adams and Andrews pre-
sided at the sacramental table, making
appropriate remarks, after which the
Convention adjourned, to meet next
year in Elgin.
The following ministers were pres
ent: J. G. Adams, Charles Conklin, G.
S. Nickerson, T. H. Tabor, Chicago; A.
N. Alcott, W. S. Balch, Elgin; j. Mer-
rifeld, Plainfeld; Miss F. E. Kollock,
Englewood; Miss A. j. Chaplin, II. D.
L. Webster, Oak Park A. H. Laing,
Joliet: L. M. Andrews, Dixon; w. S.
Ralph, SyeamoIe;-13. Delegates pres
emf RI